Moniack Castle

Moniack Castle is a small, L-plan tower house dating to circa 1600, extended with later additions. Around 1804, James Smith added a crenellated wallhead to the tower, and between 1830 and 1840, the east frontage was re-cast. The tower house is harled with polished and tooled ashlar margins and dressings. The main entrance is at the base of the tower, within the south-east re-entrant angle, and features a simple, square-headed doorway with moulded ashlar jambs and a heavily studded plank door. A wing to the left of the tower displays early fenestration, with some windows featuring plain chamfers and iron windows yetts from around 1600.

The north-west frontage is symmetrical, with three bays. The two outer bays are bowed and rise full height to a bowed piended roof, each containing three windows on both the ground and first floors. The central bay has a door sheltered by a simple Roman Doric columned portico. A variety of glazing patterns are found in the sash and case windows, and the roofs are slate.

Inside, a low-ceilinged Roman Catholic chapel is located immediately to the left of the entrance, featuring a tall, Ionic pilastered reredos. A wide wheel stair rises within the tower, with floors at various levels. The property has historically been associated with a branch of the Fraser family, and the chapel remains in ecclesiastical use. Reference is made to the work of James Smith, as detailed by John Gifford in ‘Architects of the Highlands in the Nineteenth century’.